Improvement in electro-magnetic apparatus for noting meteorological changes



50.) STEPHEN CHESTER. 4Shee(s--Shee\l.

Improvement in Electra-Magnetic Apparatus for Noting Meteorological Changes.

Palenled Jan. 2. 1872.

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Improvement in Electro-Magnetic Apparatus for Noting Meteorological Changes. N0. 122,437. Paiontodlan.2,1872.

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Improvement in Electro-Magnetic 'Apparatus for Noting Meteorological Changes. No. 122,437. Patentodlan.2,1872.

I 7711mm W fm/mfa/z/ X 6/ MAL UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIOE.

STEPHEN CHESTER, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN ELECTROMAGNETIC APPARATUS FOR NOTINC METEOROLOGICAL CHANCES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 122,431, dated J an usry 2, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN CHESTER, of the city of Elizabeth and State of New J erse have invented a new System of Automat o Meteorological Telegraph," of which the following is a specification:

My nvention consists of a series of apparatus for receiving and transmitting to distant points by telegraph-wires records of the direction and velocity of the wind, the condition of the barometer and thermometer, and, if desirable, the amount of rain, &c.

For facility and clearness of description the several parts of the combined apparatus will be separately described, in the following order: First, the apparatus for measuring and trans mitting, or recording at a distant point, the direction oi the wind. Secondly, the apparatus for measuring and recording at a distant point the velocity of the wind." Thirdiy, the apparatus for recording at a distant point the condition of the barometer. Fourthly, that which records at adlstance the thermometrical condition. Fii'thly, the apparatus by which these several apparatuses are caused, in rotation, to perform their functions through and by means of a single telegraph-wire. Sixthly seventhly, eighth y, and nlnthly, the severe instruments, respectively,for receiving the described records; and, iinall ,the apparatus by which the several transmitt nginst uments are caused to perform their functions upon their respective and appropriate receiving instruments.

The first instrument consists of a vane, so mounted that when placed in an nnsheltered position it will easil be made to oint in that direction toward w ich the win is blowing, and thus cause the shalt or tower to which it is attached to turn in correspondence.

In Fig. 4, onfiheet No. 1, this vane is represented together with a tower, one section of which-the tower-is su posed to be immovable, while the upper sect on is supposed to re volvc ss-the vane moves in one direction or the other. Upon the lower or fixed section are placed two concentric rings of metal, (see also Figure 1, Sheet l,) marked, in Figs. 1 and 4, B. These rings are ilaton their upper surfaces and in the same plane, and are carefully insulntcd from each other, and one of them is divided into a number of equal parts, also separated from each other by a non-conducting substance of electricity. A wire leads from the solid ring, and other wires from each of the parts of the divided or broken ring to other parts of the apparatus. On the under surface of the upper section of the tower, (A in Figs. 2, 3, and 4,) is placed a flat elastic piece of metal, 1, in such manner that when the upper part of tower revolves the end of this tint piece of metal 1 describes a circle, its end resting partly upon the solid ring and partly upon the broken ring, thus establishing a metailic connection between the solid ring and one or the other of the parts of the divided ring, corresponding with the direction in which the vane D may point. Supposing the broad end of the vane be pointing due south, and let that point of the divided ring upon which the end of piece of metal P then rests be considered as zero, and let there be three hundred and sixty equal parts in the divided ring numbered toward the right. Then, it the broad end of vane move one degree toward the west (from south) the solid ring and wire connected therewith will be connected with piece No. 1

'of the divided ring and the wire connected with it. If pointing 2 or 3 west of south No. 2 or No.3 of divided rin will be thus connected with solid ring. us, if an electric ctu'rent be gassing through wire connected with the soil ring itwill find its outlet throu h the wires respcctivcl y connected with pieces of broken ring, No. 1, 2, 3, or 4, as the large end of vane may be pointing 1, 2, 3, 4,or any other number of degrees, west of south.

Next in order of-descriptlon is the apparatus for causing the velocity of wind to be recorded.

On the small end of the vane or on that side of rotary tower which is caused by the vane to constantly-present itself toward the direction from which the wind blows, is placed a windmiii, E, iirmiy fastened to shaft or axis 0.

See Figs. 2, 4,-and 5.) I On shaft 0 is a pro ection or toothof metal, H. (Figs. 2, 4, 5.) Below ,the shalt 0, in such position as not to be touched by the shaft, but so as to be simultaneously pressed bv the projection H whenever the shaft revolves, are two flat elastic pieces of metal, I I, in Figs. 1 and 6, with con neoting wires leading to other parts of the aparatus. Hence a current of electricity'passmg through one of these wires would flow through the other when tooth H was 'in contact with springs I I,but the current would be instantly broken when the revolution of shuitO carried tooth H away from these springs. 80 ii said wires were connected with voltalo battery and magnetic apparatus each revolution '01 windmill-shaft 0 would cause one magnetic impulse to be sent. If the revolution should be rapid the magnetic impulses would succeed each other rapidly. Ii slow these impulses would be correspondingly far apart.

Third in order is the apparatus connected with the galvanomcter.

Fig. 6, on Sheet No. 1,'represents a barometcr, into the lower bulb or mercury-cup of which is inserted a wire-always in contact with the mercury. Other wires are inserted at distances corresponding to the graduations oi the instrument, in such manner, that as the mercury rises and falls therein, the ends of a greater or less number of wires will come in contact-with the mercury.

Fig. 7, in Sheet No. 1, illustrates a similar arrangement of a thermometer which performs its functions precisely in the same manner as does the barometer just described, and which therefore requires'no further description.

It will also be obvious that rain or tidegauges, instruments for measuring pressure oi gas or steam, or any automatic instrument.

which indicates by movement of any constituent part, may be in a similar manner so arranged that a wire may be connected with one of several other wires, corres ending in each case to the graduations or ivisions oi the measurin instrument over which the index or movab e part may pass..

Fiith in order of description is the apparatus through and by which, successively, the several diverse connections, formed by diiierent conditions of the indices of each of the measuringinstrumonts,shallcause corresponding, separate, and diverse records to be made upon certain correspoudingelectrical receiving instruments connected therewith by a single telegraph-wire with the usual batteries and iixtures. It has alread been said that the several records are to e made in rotation. Hence itwill be a parent that some device must be introduce by which the telegraphwire will be successively and in rotation connected with each of the sending instruments described, for so long athne as may be required for each to' perform its functions. I v

Fi 11, on Sheet No. 3, re resents a device for t is purpose. Its cssent al features are a train of wheels ;or clock-work propelled by weight or spring, itsra idltyoi movement being governed by any 9 ins escapement. 0n the projectionoi'anyconven ent shaft oraxissay L-is'placed a wheel A, having a projection or tootli,which,in this instance,em races nearly one-filth or the circumference of the wheel,but which in all cases would be proportionate to the number of single instruments to be successively connected. Concentric to this wheel, and equidistant from each other and the wheel. is placed a proportionate number of airs of flat elastic pieces of metal or springsin this case there being iive. Their position is such that their ends do not touch the circumference oi the wheel, but they are touched by, and the two ends oi each pair are successively connected b the projecting tooth as the wheel A is cause to rotate. On the left oi Fig. 11, Sheet No. 3, is a perspective view of the wheel A with one pair of springs shown.

Wires are connected with each of the hat pieces or springs. So it the several wires leading each from one of the springs composing a pair by a common conductor to one. pole of a voltaic battery, and the wires leading from the other spring of each pair be severally led through separate instruments to the other pole of the same battery, then if the wheel A be caused to revolve the several instruments would be successively placed in circuit with and be atfected by the battery separately, as the diiferent pairs of springs were severally and separately connected by the projection on wheel A. For the purpose of description, let this wheel Abe called a switch-wheel, and, for illustration, let it be assumed that the speed of clock-work is such that it A, revolves once in iive minutes. Then each pair of springs have their ends connected once in live minutes, and for the space of one minute.

OnAthe righthand side of Fig. 8, on Sheet No. 2, is a diagram illustrating the manner in which the wires described are further connected with all parts of the apparatus. Only a suilicient number of connections are drawn to serve for illustration'without creating confusion. ln this diagram the central circle, marked A I, represents the two rings of the vane-tower or direction-oflwind apparatus. 0 is the windmill shaft or velocity-of-wiud apparatus, showing the two springs I I. X and Y, respectively, represent the barometer and thermometer, described and shownin Figs. 6 and 7, on Sheet 1. The surrounding small circles marked at m m represent cups of \oltalc battery successively connected with each other in one series, having its terininuses at N i and N24. One of each pair of springs belonging to switch-wheel A is, through a common cond actor, connected with a telegraph-wire proceeding to adistunt point where it is connected witheertain receiving apparatus, hereinafter tojbe more particularlydescribed, and which is represented on the leit hand oi Fig.8, Sheet 2.

It is, however, to be understood that this distant couuectionoi' the telegraph-wire is topnc wireg oi an electro-maguet, the other wire of which proceeds to the ground or a return-wire. The other Wire or springoi each pair surrounding switch-wheel is connected, respectively, to solid ringoiT-direction-of-wind instrument, to one spring I, oi "velocity-of-wiiul instrument, to the mercury-bulb or immovable part of barometer, to thermometer, and to poiu V hereafter to be described. Hence, if switchw ieel A be caused to revolve, as before described, it is evident that the live instruments will, in succession, each be connected by the telegraph-wire to the receiving instrument or instruments for one minute, and this will be constantly repeated so ion as wheel A revolves. u the case now be In; illustrated-the receiving instruments may be one instrument known as a galvanometer, and one resemblln g what is known asa Morse telegraph register, both in one and the same circuit. Commencing with the direction-oi wind instrument it will be observed that one, pole oi the commencement of battery N1 is connected with ground and a wire leads from the other pole of cup 0. 1 to piece No. 1 of broken ring of directlon-of-w ad machine; from further pole of cup No.2 .to piece No. 2, and from further pole of cup 24 to piece 24, and so on. Hence, if the up )0! or revolving part oi vanetower be in sec position that spring P connects solid ring with piece 2, 3, 4, or 20, of broken ring, then an electric circuit will be formed through telegraph line springs oi switch-wheel A, through spring I, through 2, 3, 4, or 20 cups ot' battery. as the case may be, through ground and galvanometer,whichwould be caused to deflect by a battery force of such number oi'cups which corresponded with the number oi piece of broken ring then connected with solid ring by spriu 1'. As the deflection oi galvanometermll ct ierconditions being the same) will be greater or less in direct proportion to the numberoi' cups of battery introduced into the circuit atl'eoting it, then the deflection ot' galvanometer would in each case indicate how man y cups were then connected, oron what piece oi broken ring spring 1 was resting, or in what direction vane was pointing. N ow, suppose the switch-wheel A has passed forward, so that projecting tooth has left the iirst pair oi springs, and now connects the second pair,and has t ius brought the velocity of wind instrument into operation. From the second spring 1 a wire leads to the last on of battery N24. llence, litooth ll of windmll shaitU (Sheet 1) come in contact with springs I I, the circuit through galvaaomcter and magnet oi Morse re later, and whole number of cups oi battery wi i be cioscd,but will be broken when tooth H leaves sprln all. Thcrei'ore each revolution of windmill will cause one closure or electric impulse through those instruments. Each such impulse being registered by a dot impressed upon a paper moving with uniform velocity, then the proxhnit of such dots would indicate the rapidity w th which the electric impulses were sent, or the rapidity with which the windmill revoivmhor the velocity oi the current of wind causing it to revolve. Theseveral wires coming from the barometer and thermometer respectively are likewise similarly connected with successive cups oi'- battery in such manner that when the switch-wheel A connects one orthc other oi these instruments the connection will in either case be complete through agreater or less number of cups of battery, as the mercury stands in position to cover a greater or less number of wires. It is obvious that any number of instruments for divers purposes may thus be introduced into one system, as, for instance, ior measuringnnd recording therise and i'ailoi tide, ialloi' rain, pressurooi' wind,stcam, or uses-the operation oi which, being essen tia y similar to that at enact the instrunu-nts described need no further mention. in the case now being illustrated the circle V in Fig. 8, Sheet 2, represents a wheel similar to switchwheel A, revolving ilve times as fast. The oiiice of this wheel is to connect in rotation 1 2 3 4 5 cups oi battery through the whole series during the interval of time that the iiith or last Pair of springs is connected by switchwhec A. Thus every live minutes the guivanometer is de ected by a known rotation of battery power, and thus the unit of deilection for every change in condition of line is constantly known, so thatin theimmediately succeeding three or tour-evolutions the relative value of galvanometer deflections may be known. The plan and means oi utilizing the several parts of instrument described, just shown, will in many cases be the most simpliand economical but in many cases the con necting telegraph-lines would be subject to so many variations ot'condition, oi' conductibility or leakage, that the galvanomctricul indiczr tions, even corrected by intermediate observations, as described, would fail to record with the mathematicalexactness desired at all times. I will therefore describe two other methods, each applicable to any, but peculiarly adapted to particular conditions. In the uhovc-dcscribed method the battery is placed at the transmitting end, where there is supposed to be no attendant to attend to the supply and condition of battery. Henceubattcry of very long endurance must be used. In the second method now to be described all the battery towels to be placed at the receiving end, ander the care oi the general attendant oi' the re ceiviug oilice. This is illustrated in Fig. a, Sheet 2, in which all pints of the line and up puratus are represented in a similar mama-r in that in Fig. 8, except that in the fornn-r (time (Fig. 0) the points N N N do not represent so arate cu is of butter but separate coilsoi' lino insulate wire or ot lt.l resistances. 'lhc screrai connectionsoi'all the transmitting instrn meats with switch-wheel A, and with each oi the series oi resistance-coils in the series, is precisely as before described for the connection of the several cups ct battery, except that in the one case the number of cups connected is in directproport-ion with the gradua tion marked by transmitting machine, and in the other the number of resistance-coils connected is in inverse rroportion. The highest graduation markc would connect the least number of l'(.' slstances. As has been statcd,a uuii'orm hattery is constantly in cmmeet-ion with line and at receiving end. Hence. as a greater or lts's graduation is in turn marked by any of tintransmitting instruments inversely, the current must passthrough a less or greatr number of resistance-coils, or through a circuit em-' bracing a shorter or greater length of wire, and the galvanometcr deflections at receiving end will be in direct roportion. The operation of velocity-oi winl instrument will be precisely as before, and needs no iiirther description. Fig. 10, Sheet 2, represents a section of the two rings of vclccity-of-whul instrument on an enlarged scale, showing more clearly the connecticn oi the several resistances N N N with each other and with the several pieces of broken ring The function of wheel V in this case is precisely similar to that described in the former ease-that is, during the interval that switch-wheel A connects the appropriate pair of springs, the wheelV causes connection to be made in rotation through the greatest number of resistance-coils downward through the series until the telegraph-wire is directly connected. Theobiect of this need not be repeated. The third method of a iplieation now to be described is especially adapted to long lines, subject to changes of conducting conditions, as the records are not dependent upon strength or quality of electric current traversing the telegraph-line, but upon the number of electric impulses of any available power transmitted through the line in uniform or regular intervals of time. This requires a modilication oithe clock-work of apparatus, causing switchwhcel A to revolve, and also entirely diil'crcnt receiving apparatus. 1 will first explain the transmitting apparatus. In Fig. No. 11 on Sheet No. iust below the sw t h-wheel A, will be observed another wheel,K, on shaft 1, having projecting teeth, which, when revolving, impinge upon the ends of springs placed on insulated blocks similar in all respects to thbse surrounding wheel A; but K is intendcd to represent one of a series of similar wheels, all placed on one shaft, and turning together as one wheel or cylinder. These wheels have in succession one, two, three teeth, the last havin a number. of teeth equal to the cutest number of parts or graduatlons to be ndlcatcd b any one transmitting instrument. The bloc and spring Q re meant a series of pairs of sprln correspond ng in number and position to t 0 wheels K, each pair beln connected by the several teeth of the whee o'p iositc when revolving. Hence, in one revoiut on of shaft I, each pair of springs will be connected and disconnected as many times as there are teeth on the opposite wheel. Fig. 12, Sheet No. 3, gives a ion itudinai view of shalt I with several wheels on which the shaded parts indicate the projecting teeth, and tho ends-of pairs of springs Q are shown. ()no oft-he springs of cachpair Q is, by a common conductor, (W, Fig. 12,) connected with the ground of transmitting end. The remaining wire of each pair of springs Q Q Q is attached by one branch to one of the pieces of broken ring of direction of wind machine; by other branches to the diiferent graduations of thermometer,

barometer, or other measuring instrument, the spring opposite one toothed wheel, K, connecting with piece No. l, or graduation No. 1-in each case the springs of the several wheels connecting the appropriate number of graduation on the several instruments corresponding to the number of teeth on respective circuitwheels. The connection of these several instruments with the switch-wheel A and with the. telegraph-line having been already described in former cases, need not berepeated.

The shaft I is so geared that it will make an entire revolution while projection of wheel A is passing over one set of springs H. In this illustration it makes iive revolutions while A revolves once, or makes one revolution while each instrnmentis connected with line. Hence, supposing the direction of wind instrument to be connected, and that the vane was in such osltion that spring 1 rested upon No. 15 of roken ring, then this connecting with springs opposite circuit-wheel K having fifteen teeth, and the other end oi line being connected with appropriate battery, electro magnet, and ground, the circuit would be entire at all )oints except between the two springs Q niuded to (pair 15,) and this break would be closed w ienever a tooth touched the ends of springs, or in one revolution of shaft 1 the circuit would be closed and broken iiftecn times, causing a corresponding vibration or movement of electro-ma net at receiving end. As it has been assume that this shaft revolves once in a minute, then there will be iii'tecn movements of magnet in a minute; butii the position of vane is such that spring 1 rests upon piece of broken ring No. 2, 4, 20, or any other number, then, being thus connected with spring opposite wheel having 2, 4, 20, or any other corresponding number of teeth, there will be two, four, twenty, or a corresponding number of movements oi receiving-magnet in one minute. 80 each instrument, the thermometer galvanorneter or any other, (except the velocityof wind" instrument, the movements and operation of which have been described,) being in turn connected, the graduation marked by thev index of each respectively causing a connection to be made t irough the springs opposite circuit-wheel having a'number of teeth to the graduation marked, will cause a corresponding number of movements on receiving-ma net during one revolution of circuit-wheel shaft, or

in one minute. It is'evident that, this bem g accomplished, an intelligible record of the graduation or iosition oi the index of each instrument is given at the receiving end, since a greater or less number of pulsations oi the magnet in a given time clearly, and exactly indicatcthc corresponding position of the seversl iadices ofth'e measuring instruments, each in turn; but for convenience in receiving these records, apparatus maybe especially adapt/ed to their reception, which I describe as follows:

On shcct No. 4, Fig. 13, in the right-hand lower corner, is shown the main battery, sec tion of telegraph-line, relay-magnet in circuit with armature-bar, &c., &c. This magnet X receives the impulses from the several transmitting instruments, as just described, and it now remains to utilize the pulsations caused thereby.

In .Fig.No. 13 the four diagrams respectively markedWlirection of wind,velocity of wind, lmrometer,and "thermometer,"represcnttho lops of four boxes with dial-faces and hands. Fig.15 is a diagram of the apparatus contained in cachet these boxes, which consists oia ratchctwheel with a number of teeth corresponding to the maximum number oi impulses ever to be received during one interval of connection, or during the functioning of any one of the transmitting machines. T is revolves with a shaft perpendicular to face of dial, and piercing its center, so that its projecting end may carry a hand or index to mark on the dial-face the degrees of revolution made by the ratchet-wheel. A weight,W B, or its equ valent, is attached to this shait in such manner as to cause it to revolve in the direction indicated by the whole curved arrow shown in diagram, or toward the leit-thatis, it would do so if not prevented by the endof pawl 0 B locking in teeth of ratchet. Conveniently placed to perform the functions to be described is an electro-maguet, B, with armature and armature-bar I, to which is attached, by hingeor pivot UB, the pushing-bar U, the end of which is so bent, located, and ad- Justedinrei'erencetoperiphe 'oiratchet-wheel that when the armature-bur is caused to a prouch the face of magnet S the end of pus bar U will rest upon face of one of the teeth of ratehetwheel, and will propel the wheel forward for a distance equal to the length of one tooth; but when the armature-bar recedes irom the face of the magnet, the retr'actile motion of ratchet-wheel being prevented by the pawl 0 B dropping into and ocking with another tooth the end of push-bar U will be drawn backward over the po ntot another tooth,and will en go with its face in readiness to again prope the wheel forward when the armature again approaches magnet. Hence the index or hand will be carried forward one unit of its revolution by each pulsation of the armature-bar. A suitable retracting-spring beln attached to armature-bar, and magnet B be in: attached to proper battery, each closing and breaking of circuitwould be registered by the advancement oi the index-hand on the dial-face; but it the pawl 0 B be raised, the end escaping the ratchet-teeth, and the end oi push-bar U be at the same time disengaged from ratchet-teeth the index-hand wou d fly baclr until arrested by small, projectin pin'so placed as to stop it at;

the zero of nation.

Flg.14,B eet No.4 re resents aclock-work similar to that described belonging to the seudinga paratus forcausing theswitch-wheel A to revo ve and, like it has a similar. switchwheel, A, w th surrounding airs 'of s rings. Its purpose is to cause severu approp ate ieceivlng dials to be in rotation connected, through local circuit and battery, with relaymagnet. in exact correspondence with the successive connection of the several sending instruments through the main line and battery with same rela-y. As the operation of this switch-wheel A is precisely similar to thatoi' A, before described, no further explanation is required. But as it is necessary that the revolutions ot'the two switchwheelsshouhl essentiallycorrespond, and asexact synchronous motion cannot practically be attained, provision is made that at one point in the revolution of the t\ '0 wheels they should exactly correspond, which is as follows: On the shalt which carries A is a wheel with a single tooth, A, shown on right hand of Fig. 14, and also in Fig. 16. Conveniently placed for the urpose is an electro-nmgnet, Z, with u rm aturcar B, (the end of B is shown on right-hand side of Fig. 14,) which so terminates that when the armature is drawn toward the face of magnet Z it will occupy such position as to prevent the tooth on A from passing it, and will thus arrest the machine; but when the armature is allowed to rec-ode from the magnet face, then the tooth will be suii'cred to escape, and the machine will recommenee moving. The last pair of springs belonging to switch-wheel A on transmitting end, is connected with w ieel K, having no tooth, but having such a diameter to keep its respective springs connected throughitswholerevolution. The movement of the switch-wheel A is made a little more rapid than that of A on sending end, and the tooth on wheel A is so placed that the machine shall be arrested just when the tooth of A is about to leave last pair of springs and recommcnce on first pair of series. Hence, the teeth of both wheels'A and A being on last pair of springs, respcctively, the circuit will be closed throughout the'whole distance and armature-bar B" will be 'in condition to engage with tooth ol'wheel A and will do so, and will arrestswitch-wheel A just as it is about to complete its revolution, which will be before switch-wheel A lms arrived at the same point.

But when this latter completes its revolution, thus disconnecting its last pair of springs, it will break. the circuit and thus permit A to revolve. formlycommence each revolution almost simultuneously and the connection of the several transmitting instruments. by means of switch A, will correspond with the simultaneous connection ot'approprlate dials or receivin g instruments by means of switch-wheel A.

, Fig. 13, on Sheet No. illustrates the con nection of these several ials with local butterv, switchwheel A, and relay-magnet, in which the striking of armature-bar X against anvil X closes the short circuit through local battery,and with one or the other of the dials, according to the Hosition oi switch-wheel A, to correspond wit the pulsations received in magnet X caused by the appropriate sending apparatus. Hence each sondin g or measuring instrument, in rotation, wilicause the hands or dials-in each case appropriately divided and Thus .the two switch-wheels will uni;

marked in the same rotation-to move forward and indicate on their several dial-faces the corresponding position of the corresponding sendin g instrument at the instant of sending; but the several hands or indices will remain as thus placed, and when each round of all the instruments is completed it is requisite that all the indices or receiving-dials shall be returned to zero. in Fig. 16 a bar, (D, is shown, one end of which rests upon projection of pawl O B and an arm shown by dotted lines upon push-bar U, and its other end (see, also, Fig. 13) projects from front of dial in such manner that when this projecting end is pressed upon it causes the push-bar and the pawl to be raised simultaneously and the hand will be suil'ercd to ily back untii stopped by pin at zero.

The shaftcarrying switch-wheel A is elongated, and the instrument is so placed in reference to the position of the dials that sundry teeth projecting from the elongation of this shait at the proper moment impinge upon the several projecting bars or wires 0, thus cansing' the several hands to ily back to zero simultaneously just before the completion of one round, thus placing the instruments in condition for the reception of another round or signa I So far in the above explanations it has been assumed that the clock-work carrying the two switch-wheels and circuit-wheelsat sendingend were in constant motion. this may be wound up as required, by the attendant receiving an noting records. At the sending end, at which there will he no attendant, the clock-work must be automatic or selfwinding. As, however, there are many known devices for rendering such machines completely automatic, 1 hays not deemed it expedient to harden these specifications with further claims or detailed explanations of the speciiio manner of cousin the spring or weight to be wound u further i; an to state the fact that the revolut one of the windmill at all times, except when engaged in recording "veiooit of wind, can .be utilized to wind up the weight or spring when it has run down a certain distance. As the weightor spring may beoi length to carry the apparatus twenty or thirty days, experience has shown that no calm may be feared to last so long that the movemento upparatus would cease.

I do not conilne myself to the particular form of switch device, as hereinbefore shown, for causing diti'erent connections to be made throng varyingsmoantsof battory,orthroagh At the receiving end diii'erent amounts of resistance, or through difi'erent circuit-closing and breaking wheels, as the form of such switches may be modified without any ohangeof the principle involved. Nor do confine myself to the particular form or style of anemometer, barometer or thermome ter, as described, these several iorms being assuined for facility of explanation of the principles involved of causing different conditions of any number of measuring instruments to cause corresponding different conditions of electrical motive power topass over atelegraph-line. Nor do I coniine mysel l' to the reception of these records upon the dials described, as prin tin g instruments of similar construction, as to propulsion, may be used.

It is, in fact, probable that an aneroid barometer would be suitable for this system, an d a thermometer registering through the deflection caused by unequal expansion or contraction of metals bound together, would aii'oid a form much more easy of application to this system than is the one described for illustration.

Claims.

1. Iclaim an automatic apparatus, operated by electromagnetism or electricity, for indicating at a distance meteorological and other varying phenomena.

2. I claim acurrent-changer, consisting of a revolving cam operated by clock-work bearing successively against a series of plates connected with the diii'erent branches of an electric circult, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. I claim an apparatus transmitting currents of electricity, during a certain unit of time, correspondin in intensity to the variations from a fixed po nt duringsaid time, ofinstruments indicating meteoro ogical and other varying phenomena, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. Iclaim an apparatus causing electrical impulses to be transmitted during a certain unit of time corresponding in number to the variations of instruments during said time from a zero olnt indicating meteorological and other vary ng phenomena, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. I claim a combination of the commutator, a single battery, instruments indicating meteorologlcal and other varying phenomena, substant ally as described.

STEPHEN CHESTER.

Witnesses:

B. A. STEBBINB, J. E. Sm'rn. (101) 

